Court Orders Municipality To Pay Over $39,000 in Michigan Pro-Life Case

The Thomas More Law Center ^ | 12/03/02 | Thomas More Law Center

[That Subliminal Kid]

BREAKING NEWS

Tuesday, December 4, 2002

Court Orders Municipality To Pay Over $39,000 in Michigan Pro-Life Case

In a case that has drawn national attention, Detroit Federal District Judge Victoria A. Roberts has ordered that Plymouth Township, Michigan, pay monetary damages, attorneys? fees, and costs totaling $39,545.15 and has permanently enjoined the Township from interfering with the rights of pro-life demonstrators to display signs of aborted babies.

The case began this past July in Plymouth Township when pro-life advocates began to demonstrate against Michigan Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate, Jennifer Granholm, and her ?pro-choice? stance, on the public sidewalk in front of the church she attends.  The demonstrators displayed various signs, including signs that depicted images of aborted babies.  Plymouth Township Police Officers seized the aborted baby signs on the basis that they were tantamount to pornography.

The Thomas More Law Center quickly filed a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of three of the pro-life advocates who were prohibited from displaying the aborted baby signs.  The Law Center sought an emergency temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against Plymouth Township officials.

Within 24 hours after the lawsuit was filed, Federal Judge Roberts held a hearing and granted the emergency temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in favor of the three pro-life advocates, permitting them to display their aborted baby signs in public.  Judge Roberts also found that there was a strong likelihood that the Thomas More Law Center?s clients would prevail in showing that the police had violated their constitutional rights.  Based on Judge Roberts?s order, the pro-life advocates resumed their peaceful protest without interference from the Plymouth Township police.

This past week, Judge Roberts signed a consent judgment ruling that the First Amendment protects the display of aborted baby signs and that the Plymouth Township Police Officers violated the United States Constitution when they prevented the pro-life advocates from displaying the aborted baby signs in public and when they confiscated the signs without consent, a warrant, or probable cause.

As a result of the lawsuit, the three pro-life advocates received a total of $23,000 in monetary damages.

Thomas More Law Center attorneys Edward L. White III and Robert J. Muise handled the case on behalf of the pro-life advocates.

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[MEGoody]

"They were the hysterics, dearie, not me."

If you don't get a bit hysterical about someone being murdered, particularly a child, then you are either mentally challenged or a cold-hearted killer.

[MEGoody]

"Her husband and father of her other three children went to court to prevent her from 'russian roulette' with possibly removing the living childrens' mother from this earth."

Wonder how their relationship was after this incident. Probably not good.

[Bella_Bru]

Hobbes, ask the jerks that were saying it, not me. There are some pro-lifers that think the unborn ranks higher than the life of the mother. They are few and far between, and they are ugly.

[Bella_Bru]

Do you know anything about ectopic preganacies, or do you sing with the "they are never dangerous" choir?

[EdReform]

BTTT

[That Subliminal Kid]

Do you even know what a sycophant is ?? It appears from your usage that you do not.

[Saundra Duffy]

Thanks for the ping. Wow! Must be nice to get an award instead of a bill. For victory & freedom!!!

[AnnaZ]

The last time a pro-life group came to the campus of the university I attend, they had those huge signs. The only thing that made me question them though was this: They were telling people that ectopic pregnancies pose NO THREAT whatsoever to a woman, and even if they do, the life of the unborn must be respected over the life of the mother. Sorry, mom's life is in danger, that's where I draw the line.

 

I'm with you on this one 100%, Bella.

 

When my mom was delivering my younger sister, it was discovered that the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck, each push choking her. This was a little over 30 years ago when something like this usually ended in death for one of those involved -- mom or babe.

 

It was a Catholic hospital, and next thing my dad knew a priest was entering the room to be ready to deliver last rites... to my mom. All efforts were going to be to save the baby, not the mother. My father adamantly demanded that all effort be given to save my mom, as the idea of him trying to raise two babies alone seemed ridiculous. He physically removed the priest from the room, and by a miracle both survived -- although my sister was a "blue baby" and had to spend time in an incubator. My dad then removed the family from the Catholic church, his longstanding irritation with some of their more illogical policies having finally reached a head.

[Bella_Bru]

All efforts were going to be to save the baby, not the mother.

How wonderful and loving of the priest. < /sarcasm>

I'm glad your dad put his foot down.

[Notwithstanding]

What is illogical about affording 2 people equal rights?
Babe and mom have equal rights.

This means that NEITHER of them can be directly and intentionally killed.

Mom can't be killed to save the baby, and baby can't be killed to save the mom. Its called human dignity and the premiere "right to life" (see founding documents of the USA).

Nothing illogical about that.

[AnnaZ]

This means that NEITHER of them can be directly and intentionally killed.

 

True. But they had made a choice, with my mother to be the sacrifice.